Opinions...

Comments to the Tallassee Times

Because of Super Foods (7-28-09)

I know Mr. Bird is not tall physically speaking but in my eyes he's 10 ft. tall!!! Mr. Bird, I applaud you!! What an example you are for your students - Cheryl Spates

Board Block (7-21-09)

Ms. McCaig,

I read your article in the Tallassee Times regarding the use of Promethean Boards in the classroom. My wife and I both graduated from Tallassee High School in the 70's. We have lived in Fort Payne, Al. since moving from Tallassee in 1990. Recently our school system installed the Promethean Boards in all classrooms--K-12. The Boards are a huge hit! We have a daughter that will be a senior at Fort Payne High School this year. Last year she came home often talking about how great the Boards were. She would talk about her classmates being more involved with the teachers. I also know quite a few of our teachers and they have all been impressed with the difference in the classrooms since purchasing these Boards - Paul Chambliss, Fort Payne

Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

There is a reply from the "Stone Age" by one of the "old" folks who seem, in the opinion of some writers (?), to be expendable. Let me remind those persons that it was those "old" folks who are, in the words of Tom Brokow, "the Greatest Generation." It was they who saved the world from the Nazis and before and after that era made this town what it was and will be again one day when time and economics will permit rebuilding this unique town.

As to the age of those who objected to the establishing of a sports grill" downtown, I personally talked to dozens of citizens, aged from "young people" to persons in their late "senior years." With the exception of 3 or 4, they thought that the grill was not the kind of business needed on the corner of James Street and Ann Street. Many believed that, based on the application for a lounge retail license rather than a restaurant retail license, it was going to be a bar that happened to have a little food rather than a restaurant that happened to serve alcohol. At least a few suggested that most Tallassee citizens who want to drink alcohol go out of town to avoid being seen indulging. And, not many adults want to eat in a restaurant where their under age children are not allowed. Think about those persons it would leave out on the streets after the 2 am closing time that Mr. Stuckey suggested.

As for the mal-contents among us, feel free to seek greener pastures. I never have felt that the grass was any greener anywhere than where I am, and I have lived in Alabama in Luverne, Troy, Auburn, as well as Nashville, Tennessee, and New York City. Our lives are what we make them.

Peace and good grazing!!! - Jack Solomon - age 81 and 11 months and still writing and helping others do the same

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

We must find a way of getting to the people in this town to get involved and be more positive, the last few weeks have been so gloomy, etc. and it saddens me and I know others - Laurie Rygiel

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

The City’s Planning Commission needs to re-visit what is allowed in its downtown zoning district. The Planning Commission recently amended the ordinance to allow for residential and business combinations downtown to support the idea much like what is happening in Montgomery. Loft apartments with businesses in the buildings below. They also need to look at amending the downtown use as well to allow for Pubs or Taverns. This is the only way to separate them from the residential areas. I have heard people say that if Stuckey opened his place that it might hurt the hotel re-opening. I disagree I think it would help the hotel.

Two years ago I traveled to a wonderful place called Jim Thorpe, PA and one of the most popular hotel in the USA called “The Inn” has a little Irish pub right next door where all of its guest go and have a drink. I understand that downtown needs revitalizing but yet a tax paying business was just discouraged. All the comments about the business would have been matters to be handled by the police only if they occurred. The downtown property owner’s also have a responsibility as well attract something to the downtown area and that is to repair them and make them worthy to house a decent business or sell them for a “reasonable price “ to someone who will. I have always had the dream of owning an Irish Pub when I retire but I can’t think of 1 or 2 buildings downtown worth putting money into believe me I know from past experience - Travis M. Jones

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

Remember X and Y generation. Boomers rule! They have all the time and all the money - Jimmy Cole

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

I'm with Ryan Merret. I never get to go to the street dance because I am almost always, without fail, photographing a wedding or a family reunion. I think a great place to have it would be City Hall. There's a big parking lot and at least there is some shade there. Land on the airport facility and Babe Ruth fields could be used too, as long as there aren't any tournaments going on. That would be nice for the folks in East Tallassee!

As far as having nothing to do in Tallassee, excuse my language but my grandmother Mackie Pienezza used to sit on her porch well into her 70's and say, "There's not a d-a-m-n thing to do in this town." Mackie was a gal from the 1920's who loved to have a good time.

Can we be a town that attracts retirees, families, and young people all at the same time? Can we be a town that's quiet but also has a lot going on? What do we want our identity to be? We are facing the same problems many other former mill towns are facing. We need to embrace our history while making progressive changes for our town. Anyone who is interested, please come to the city council meetings, the planning commission meetings, and let your councilmen know your opinions - Suzy Solomon Wilson

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

I chose to look in Prattville to maybe appeal to a larger customer base in a city that is more open to this kind of business. Prattville is one of the fastest growing cities around and has been for many years. I do believe the city was fair with me. Mayor McCain and the city council were very receptive. They asked a lot of questions, but there is nothing wrong with being informed.

The license was a big mess. I applied and presented my license to the city and all was correct until the night I spoke at City Hall. I then found out I would have to reapply for my license altogether. I feel like the sports grille run the way I wanted to run it (not the way some were telling me to run it) would have been a great success. It would have given anyone 21 to any age a place to come socialize, have a decent meal, dance, or watch a game. There is NOTHING in this town for people in my generation to do here. I travel to Birmingham, Atlanta, Auburn, Montgomery, and Prattville frequently to spend my money. If there was a place in town those in favor of it would flock to it (and some of those who say they are opposed to it).

I could be wrong and I may try to open a business again one day, but this has shown me some things," Stuckey said. "The city is still able to be pushed around by the older people in this town and we are still apparently living in the stone age. Someone said that they wished Tallassee could be a self-sufficient community and an open market environment. That is a great idea, but it won't happen.

Times have changed and we must too. This may have worked 100 years ago but not today. There is so much travel and commuting done these days it's impossible to keep out influences from other areas of the state, the country, and even the world. Some of the closed minded people here see me as a threat apparently because I'm not white.

All of your racial comments and judgmental attitudes aren't very Christian like but that's another story...I do however wonder how the Colonial Room ended up with a liquor license and I have so much trouble? Young voters are the people the city council should be focusing on. We will be the ones here for years and years to come (if the city changes).

I go to church. I am a Christian. The fact that I want to open a place that sells alcohol doesn't make me a pagan. I'm not trying to start a cult here, just a place to have a good time in a safe and appropriate environment. Someone in Tallassee told me a story of a Baptist minister in Georgia. He was a Pastor still active in his church, but he loved his city so much that he pushed for a sports grill to open downtown to bring more tax revenue. Now there are three of these downtown and the downtown area of this city is booming once again. Thanks - Johnathan Stuckey

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

I did not get a chance to write something up on this over the weekend. But my comments really have to do with zoning.

The downtown area has specific zoning requirements and in this case is only zoned for a restaurant. That was the Colonial Room's primary function. Mr. Stuckey’s initial liquor license that I was given a copy of indicated that the business would not have a kitchen. In talking with him he did indicate that in fact his business would have a kitchen and serve meals. In my opinion, once the application reflected what Mr. Stuckey was going to be doing this was resolved.

The definition of restaurant in the current zoning ordinance states that the facility is open to the public and serves at least one meal a day. The planning commission rendered the opinion that by limiting the age of entry to 21 the business was not open to the public. I have asked the planning commission to clarify the zoning ordinance’s current definition of restaurant to include thresholds for percentage of sales that come from food and alcohol. I think this it is important as we move forward to have definitions that give additional information to prospective business people and clearer guidance for the general public - Heather Johnson, City Council Ward 2

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

I have kept up with the outcome of the “Sports Bar” by reading all of the opinions on here and I have to say that, I totally agree with everyone that is in favor of the “Sports Bar.” I am 37 years old and it is a shame that I have to go out of town to have any kind of a social life. The only thing that keeps me here is the fact that I would like for my future kids to grow up here like I did in the Tallassee School System. I would imagine that is the same reason for half the town because it sure is not for the Entertainment, Restaurants, or Recreation here. If things do not get better soon I will be moving back to Auburn and make that hour drive to Montgomery for my job there. It is time for the next generation to take over this town if we are ever going to accomplish any thing.

Also, since a few people have brought up the subject of the “Street Dance” I have an opinion about that as well. Can we not move the event to another location like the practice field next to the Football Field? It is just too “HOT” where it is now. If you moved it there, you would have more parking, more space to move around, more dance space, and you would get more air flowing through. I understand that it is an event to raise money for the Historical Society, “which I think is a big waste of time and money but don’t get me started on that,” but that does not mean that you can’t have it somewhere else besides downtown. My last complaint that I have about it is the Bands that you have playing there. Can we not get some new Bands to come play? It has been the same six or seven Bands every year since it has started. Come on people, everyone that goes to the Street Dance are not in there 50’s and 60’s. Thanks for letting me blow off some steam - Ryan Merrett

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

The way I see it if people have a problem with a Sports Bar being opened up in Tallassee that is fine. I can understand the concerns. I, however, get so tired of people bringing up the surrounding towns in trying to get their point across. I grew up in one the towns Mr. Jim Cullars mentioned. I have moved now and like to keep up and read on what's going on in and around Tallassee and REELTOWN! I graduated RHS in 1997 and although the path I have chosen has taken away from REELTOWN, my heart is still there.

Imagine how nauseous I get when I read from afar what is going on 'back home' and see that there are still those that try and bash REELTOWN and other towns in articles. This sickens me. With everything that is seen on a day to day basis in this world, there are those that are blinded by it and choose to take what little life they have and try to bring down those that are truly good in this world. And let me remind you, in my 30 years I have found that 'truly good' like most that reside in REELTOWN and the outskirts are few and far between. Whatever happened to loving and respecting thy neighbor?? Reeltown and Tallassee and Notasulga and etc. are neighbors like it or not!!

This is definitely not the first encounter I have had with an article saddening me. But I would like to leave this with you, when your making your arguments and taking a stand for what you believe, don't start calling people (towns) out and bringing them into your pointless opinions. When you talk about Reeltown, although I am no longer there, you begin stepping on toes. And I prefer my feet to remain out of you arguments.

Thanks much! And please remember.....PEACE!!!! Let it live in and around you. It's amazing how your life will be enriched by this - Hollie A. J. C.

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

Jim Alice Cullars made the remark that if a sports bar was open look out here they come from Reeltown. I would like to remind Jim Alice Cullars that if it wasn't for the tax revenue Tallassee gets from citizens of Reeltown buying groceries, prescriptions, gasoline, etc., most streets in Tallassee would probably still be dirt instead of asphalt - Tony Prescott

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

You know, I do not have a horse in this race when it comes to decisions being made that would benefit the city of Tallassee, since I do not live in the city limits, but I cannot help but wonder about some issues that come up that defy all logic. Maybe the best way is to put my concerns in the forms of questions and hope that someone can help me understand the logic that is being used in these circumstances. I have several questions and if someone could help me understand I sure would appreciate it.

My main question is that if the people that were so dead set against the sports bar are still around, then why are they NOT protesting the Sweet Summer Night event that is occurring every year? There is going to be music, alcohol, and no telling what else there and it is going to be not only in front of the adults that are there, but also in front of all the children. What if some drunk kidnaps the children in the alley? Does not this event attract people from other cities and towns? Why are the surrounding Churches and Ministers not having meetings to keep this from happening?

Why does the current mayor and council still let a very few vocal residents tell them how to run the city? Why must Tallassee stay the same as it has stayed for the last hundred years? Why must our city dry up and blow away when it has so much potential? Can the people not see what the end result will be? In the not too distant future, it will be TOO LATE to change. We need to get our heads out of the sand and start now if we are not to be doomed to become a ghost town with a couple of thousand old people sitting around waiting to die.

Now having asked the questions that I asked, I also would like to say that I support the Sweet Summer Night celebration and I am not picking on this event (I usually try to attend when possible). But in all honesty, I can not see the reasons why this city will not take control of its future and make the decisions that need to be made that will carry us to a future that will be of a benefit to our children and our childrens' children. If we don't, there will not be any children here because any one in their child bearing years will not be living here, they will be living somewhere else.

And one more thing, if you are one of the people who opposed the sports bar, then you should be up in arms over any event
that will be in any form similar to what you would encounter if you went inside the bar. Be careful of what you ask for, you might get it and when you do, you probably are not going to like it very much. This is just such a shame to see so much potential there and to see it just thrown away just to satisfy a very very few people that probably would still burn witches today if it wasn't against the law.

I have only one more question now. When are the condos that they are building in the old mill going to go on sale? I'm sure that this by itself will bring a couple of more old people into town so that they can sit on their patio and look at the river all day. I can almost feel the excitement now. I really don't expect anyone to be able to help me understand these questions, but at least I got it off my chest - Steve Segrest

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

So we ran the "Sports Grill" Guy out of town.....just in time to shut it down for the annual Down Town Beer Fest??? I mean "Street Dance"......That's not at all hypocritical - Keith Chambers

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

Score One for the Churches! They ran the guy who was going to bring a little business to our dying downtown Out Of Town!

The Churches are going to keep on until Tallassee is a ghost town. Then who is going to put money in their collection baskets on Sunday? Did Jesus ever force anybody to live by his rules? As I recall Jesus had nothing against social drinking. He attended at least one wedding . While there He made the best quality wine for them.

I personally think a tavern style Bar and Grill in the downtown area would be a great asset to our town! It would attract other businesses to the area that would provide entertainment. Wouldn't it be great if downtown filled in with bars, small restaurants, and shops selling art, books, and unique gifts? Wouldn't this be such a contrast to what it is now, a collection of closed, boarded up, falling in buildings.

Even though I am not a Sports Enthusiast, I am sorry to see Stuckey give up His fight. I was hoping He was going to open a place where an Adult could go and have a drink.

I was hoping he was the start of a new era for Tallassee - Glenn Dean

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Stuckey To Move Sports Grill to Prattville (7-14-09)

The opposition to this only reinforces ending my brief stay in this city. I have lived in this city for just over a year after relocating to work for Neptune. My family and I wanted to give it a try but there is very little to do for entertainment outside of church. The city is not well rounded enough to attract and keep young professionals and young families to the city. My daughter has access to a limited size playground that cannot be reached safely on foot (we have to drive our vehicle even though it is only a mile or two from our home as there is not a connecting sidewalk). The walk into downtown from East Tallassee passes a closed mill and condemned buildings.

I am an avid runner and am routinely bored on runs throughout the city to say the least. One of the benefits of running through the heart of a city are the views and aromas of a bustling social environment and Tallassee lacks this. And the city could have all of this with very little effort. It has location, it has a river shore with GREAT potential. On my runs I mostly see dilapidated buildings, have to dodge fallen limbs, overgrowth, etc. Many areas are not safe for running (no shoulder, damaged/obstructed sidewalks, no sidewalk, etc). I also encounter this when walking with my family so often that now we don't go out for walks as much now.

If Tallassee is to grow or attract young people then the negative, pessimistic attitude that seems so great will have to change. The problem isn't "Victoryland", it isn't "drugs", or any other of the myriad of reasons that I've heard. The one problem I see, and only hear a few people say, is the city's resistance to positive change. In my short year here I've heard, for the most part, negativity when discussing any type of change in the city, or anywhere else for that matter. I can't help but think, "But how do explain the city's current state?" Because if these things that are being proposed would be so called detrimental, then how did the city get to the state that it's in without these so called changes?

Does Tallassee have a nice selection of dining choices for its residents? Adequate shopping? Does it have constructive and positive activities available for its young people? The answer is a flat no. A sports grill would have been a nice glimmer of hope for the city, but it has been stamped out which sadly sums up my observation of the city. The thought that this proposed sports bar would suddenly bring kidnapping drunks to the city from all the surrounding towns is incoherent at worst and abhorrently ignorant at best. I wish Jonathan Stuckey good luck in Prattville and I'm sure his business will do well. I understand his frustration and am also throwing my hands up and leaving Tallassee for a well rounded nearby city - Darrick Artis

Blood Drive for Bernice Stalnaker (7-14-09)

Mrs. Bea as we call her at church is the most wonderful, compassionate, loving person on this planet. Mrs. Bea, they won't take my blood (I am anemic), but you know I love you very much. May God keep his hand upon you - Gloria Griggs

Junk Yard (7-14-09)

About a month ago I complained about the junked up house across the street from the JUNK YARD. The mayor as well as the city councilman got on board replying that something infact was going to be done about this house that it was pathetic etc. Well nothing has changed. It still looks the same as it did the first time I complained.

I could be wrong. The city may have gotten with these people and me not knowing about it. I sure would like to know if anything has been said to these people and if there was any progress - Steve Schieferstein

Dean New Assistant Principal at SMS (7-7-09)

Congratualtions to Coach Dean excuse me that's Assistant Principal Dean. I think he will do a wonderful job as assistant prinicipal - Michelle Cole

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Dean New Assistant Principal at SMS (7-7-09)

I think Coach Dean will be great too. He has a lot of energy! - Suzannah Solomon Wilson

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Dean New Assistant Principal at SMS (7-7-09)

It was said that Bruce Dean has a lot of energy for the position of Assistant Principal and I concur. He also has the lack of hair required for the position! He has learned much from his dad's brother, J.C. "Bud" Dean, over the years and I am certain he will apply this to his new administrative role. LOL. P.S. We'll take the revenue ya'll don't want from the Sports Grill - Daniel Dean, Prattville

Growth in Tallassee (7-7-09)

Everyone has ideas about what would make Tallassee grow. If I had my druthers we’d be a self-sufficient town like we were in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Buildings that are condemnable would be torn down and replaced with green space. We’d have a park for walking, riding bikes, fishing, picnicking, and for outdoor concerts and movies. All the businesses would be locally owned. We’d have street markets like they do in Europe and during the summer we’d shut our businesses down from lunch until about 5 and then crank back up again. Everyone would grow up shopping and playing here so there would be no need to go to the mall or a big box store in another town.

Although it does appear that downtown Tallassee is dying because the Hotel is closed, let me take you on a virtual walk from North Ann, around the block of Sistrunk and East James, up James Street, and back around to North Ann.

If you begin at Berean Baptist Church, you’ll pass Miss Noel’s and then State Farm Insurance. To your right on King Street are the Segrest Law Firm, the Tallassee City Board of Education, BankTrust, and a taekwondo studio. On the corner is our police station, which hopefully will one day move to the old Sizemore building on the corner of Ann and King.

Cross the street and you’re at Mike Harper’s law office. Head toward the bridge and you’ll see a sign for a future Mexican food mart and then you’ll pass H&R Block, Tallassee Office and School Supply, and the newly opened A Little Off the Top, a style shop operated by Lee Ann Mann and her daughter Crystal. Lee Ann has done a wonderful job renovating this building and should have a tanning bed soon!

There’s Houston Baker’s University Electric, and a wireless phone company sales office in the bottom floor of his building, Houston happens to live in a loft downtown. Walk towards the Roxy Garden and there’s an architect’s office, Heart of Dance and the office of Wylie Troupe across the street, and Urban Renewal Salon on the same side as University Electric. Jason, the proprietor, also happens to live in a loft atop his salon. Before you get to Jason’s salon there’s a law office.

Take a left and you’ll see the Gallery, which offers a plethora of antiques, clothing and jewelry, and other sundry items.

Walk towards Tiger Paw and you will encounter several empty buildings. One is empty because Nellie Ruth Cullars recently closed her long running antique store and another is empty because Wynelle Sellers, who cut and styled hair for some 60 years, passed away in the summer of 2007. I suppose the other buildings are empty because the economy is just not right for establishing a new business; many people are afraid to take that leap of faith right now.

Right before you get to Tiger Paw is Moore Wealth Management; I believe they work by appointment only.

On the corner is Tiger Paw in the former Doro’s building. Tiger Paw has been in business for 24 years. Next to Tiger Paw is the Trophy Room, a beautifully renovated site full of Billy McKenzie’s preserved animals he “collected” on some of his hunting safaris. Next to the Trophy Room are Tallassee Florist, also a long-time business, and Essence Barber and Style Shop. I’m not sure how long Patrick Anthony has been in business but it has been quite some time and last Saturday he had 13 cars at his shop so business is good!

Retrace your steps, go past Tiger Paw and cross the one way street and you’ll pass Coan’s Pool Supply, which does a booming business once swim season gets here, Dr. T.M. Patterson’s office (Dr. Patterson just turned 99 and although he is no longer accepting patients at his chiropatric office he still is very involved with what goes on in town), Linda’s clothing store, Tallassee Jewelry, (which has been in business about 100 years), and Professional Hair Design.

Cross Ann and you’ll see Ruby’s Warehouse, which specializes in clothes and accessories for the young and hip, the Company Store, and Bruno’s, a new store with clothes, purses, and fashion accessories. Bruno also runs the ice cream truck. Up the street are the offices of Century Tel and Cuttin Up salon, with stylists Donna Chaffin, Cathy Butler, and Kathy Chandler. Around the corner are the offices of dentist Danny Wilbanks, still working at 70, Charles Stevenson’s insurance agency, and Southeastern Insurance. Across the street is the Learning Tree, a private, federally funded school for children with autism and other severe challenges. And down from the Learning Tree is my photography studio. I am so happy to still be downtown! Going in the opposite direction from my studio you’ll run into the LifeChoice Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Go back to Barnett Blvd. and we finish our tour with WACQ and the law office of Billy Bowles. The fire department is also downtown in the old car dealership. There is an empty building across from them, the old Jay’s auto repair. Between that and Noel’s is a private garage.

So downtown is not exactly dying. We desperately need to get the Hotel up and running and again and hopefully that will happen soon. That gets lots of foot traffic into the area. If so, maybe Roxy Gardens and the former Plant Drug building will be sold, and the other empty buildings will be rented.

What would I like to see downtown? A coffee shop with wireless internet would be great, as well as a used book store, maybe something like Tradin Books in Montgomery. My father and I have tossed the idea around. Lord knows he has enough books to get it started! I would love to see a soda fountain. Anyone who didn’t get to taste a milkshake or a lemon sour from the Mt. Vernon drugstore has missed a treat! Carlisle Drugs in Alex City has a soda fountain and they always have a big lunch crowd; after school the junior high kids all hang out there for an after school snack. And some thrift/antique/junk stores would be great. We miss having Smarty Pants downtown. It was like therapy for my mother and me to go and find all sorts of treasures! Are these the kinds of stores other people would want to see? I have no idea. We stopped in Gainesville, Georgia, on our way to Helen once and the downtown was so neat. There was a wonderful used bookstore called Ralph Waldo’s Books full of used books and many books relating to Georgia; there was a little sandwich shop called My Friend’s Place. The sandwich shop was in a building that also served as an art gallery. There were benches all around the square and many people were sitting on the benches reading and visiting. My family has always enjoyed going to places like that rather than cookie cutter stores and mall so it was right up my alley. My father’s hometown, Luverne, Alabama, has a coffee shop that sells sandwiches and offers wireless internet; the store also sells hardware. The city of Luverne received a grant to re do the downtown sidewalks and the facades of the stores. One of the buildings has been turned into a conference and cultural center. Luverne is half the size of Tallassee, but it is the county seat so that may have a little bearing on the matter.

Some people dream of downtown Tallassee as a miniature Fairhope. I’m not sure that will ever happen because Fairhope was established as an artists’ colony and that’s what it has always been. We are a mill/industrial town. (But I think that’s just fine. That means JOBS.) We could however, pump up the arts a little more. If the wonderful volunteers at the old theatre can ever get that finished that will be a big asset! I admire them and would help them but I’m afraid with my carpenter skills I would hurt the process instead of help it! And perhaps we could have one building downtown designated as an art gallery. My family has established a foundation for young writers in memory of my mother and we would love to have a place to hold writing workshops and readings. The ultimate goal of our foundation is a writers’ retreat right here in Tallassee.

What will make our town grow? Someone who has about 30 years’ experience in local and state government told me that the number one reason a town will grow is a new high school. Wouldn’t that be great? I have a pipe dream that the city/school board could buy Lakeside Country Club, annex it into the city, and build a new high school facility there, complete with a football and soccer stadium, baseball field, softball field, band practice field, and an auditorium that would seat 1000 for all those amazing show choir performances and band concerts. The old high school could be used for a middle or junior high, or it could be turned into a community/rec center and we might be able to plan to build a smaller new rec center rather than the one that is planned. The high school has two gyms that are in good shape and a commercial kitchen. The gyms do need air conditioning, but otherwise they seem to be fit for use. The cafeteria could be rented out for events (I think it has already been rented out in the past for class reunions) and the classrooms could be rented out to budding entrepreneurs. There could be piano and music lessons taught, the Social Security office could be in one of the rooms, college and community education courses could be offered. The seats in the auditorium could be taken up so that it could be a true multi-purpose room. The civic center in Wetumpka is a renovated building and someone told me that it is already rented for every Saturday night is for a year! We need an indoor pool and there is a big area behind the gyms, probably big enough for an indoor pool. O’Brien stadium could still be used for community football, jr. high and B team football, and community events.

How would we pay for all this? I hate to even suggest it but how about a city property tax? I am going to do a little research, see how much I spend on sales tax in one month, and compare that to my county property tax. Personally I would rather have a one-time city property tax than a one percent city sales tax I have to pay every time I purchase something. What about the renters in town who don’t own property? Could we legally have a rental tax? I have no idea. Could we have a luxury tax on some items? I don’t know that either but I will try to find all that out and report it back to Michael. My sister and I were discussing a new school and although neither of us have children in the system we would love to see one. She said it would be great if you could pay a property tax or school tax, get an id card, and get in free to all the school events and city events. Just imagine—if your tax was 200.00 per year and you have three children, that’s at least 25.00 for all five of you to get into a football game. Multilpy that by 5 home games and that’s 75.00. That’s a big chunk. Then add in basketball, baseball, McCraney-Cottle arts events. You’d save money by paying the tax and not having to pay to get into all those events.
I just head a snippet on NPR about a town that introduced a 40.00 a year library tax to supplement their town library.

As I said, these are pipe dreams but in my perfect world it would work. Tallassee can grow or Tallassee can die; I will love it no matter what because it’s home - Suzannah Solomon Wilson

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